Coke And Pepsi

Coke And Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Pepsi said Friday they will lower levels of a chemical in caramel coloring to comply with a California law, but insisted the beverages pose no health risks and recipes will not change.

The changes allow the companies to avoid having to label products with a cancer warning due to what California has ruled are high levels of 4-methylimidazole, shown to cause cancer in lab rodents.

Both drink makers said the popular soda recipes will not be affected but that caramel suppliers have been asked to make sure 4-MEI levels are reduced.

“What we did do is direct our caramel suppliers to make a manufacturing process modification in order to reduce the level of 4-MEI in our caramel so as to meet the requirement set by the state of California’s Proposition 65.”

Pepsi said its beverages “are and always will be safe for consumption.”

“Consumers will notice no difference in our products and have no reason at all for any health concerns. There is no scientific evidence that 4-MEI in foods and beverages is a threat to human health,” it added.